The New Jersey Economic Development Authority launched a new $4 million pilot program earlier this year that provides free e-commerce and digital marketing consulting services to New Jersey small businesses.
Known as the Small Business E-Commerce Support Program, since its launch, the NJEDA has connected 152 small businesses to consulting firms, representing over $1.1 million in assistance. To date, 76% of the funding has supported minority-owned small businesses. The program aims to help small businesses adapt to the growing e-commerce economy, which has boomed since the pandemic.
“Under Gov. (Phil) Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has prioritized small businesses by investing in resources to help them succeed,” NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program has already begun to help businesses with their digital marketing needs and the NJEDA is prepared to help even more ‘mom and pop’ businesses statewide modernize their services, expand their clientele and stay competitive in the evolving e-commerce economy. I urge small business owners up and down the Garden State to take advantage of this program so that they can expand their e-commerce services at no cost.”
The program offers up to $11,400 in consulting services to eligible restaurants, retailers and personal care businesses to assist with webpage design and development, online ordering implementation, online appointment booking implementation, e-commerce design and development, and online marketing plan development. Restaurants and personal care businesses can receive up to $11,400 in consulting services, while retail stores can receive up to $10,800.
The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program helped businesses like Robin’s Nest Restaurant revamp its website. Although the Mount Holly-based restaurant, bakery and catering service had a well-constructed website, the consulting firm helped the business add Google search words and social media to its website in order to increase traffic, and the owners learned how to use analytics to track success.
“We were fortunate enough to be included in the NJEDA’s highly beneficial Small Business E-Commerce Support Program,” Audrey Winzinger, marketing manager of Robin’s Nest Restaurant, said. “We were paired with a consulting firm that was able to help us promote the three distinct aspects of our business — restaurant, catering and bakery. The services provided were worth thousands and will serve us well for years to come. We are grateful to the NJEDA for the opportunity.”
Through a competitive selection process, the NJEDA has contracted with seven consulting firms to provide e-commerce and digital marketing services to small businesses until the funding is exhausted. Interested businesses should contact the consulting firm of their choice directly.
The firms include:
- Beyond Media Global, Paramus;
- eGrove Systems Corp., East Brunswick;
- Masterpiece Advertising, Atlantic City;
- New Frontier, Millburn;
- Positive Solutions, Robbinsville;
- Tara Dowdell Group, Jersey City;
- 360 Marketing and PR, Camden.
Small businesses interested in the program can click here to learn more.
